As Bruno Gervais gears up for seventh NHL training camp the Québec native realizes that he will have to be at his best this year to make the opening night roster. Gervais, who spent the summer relaxing and seeing family and friends, has had his up and down years with the Islander organization. At times he has looking as though he could use improvement and other times looking as though he may finally have hit his stride.

Over the off-season Isles GM, Garth Snow, went out and bulked up his defensive core by adding Milan Jurcina, Mark Eaton and James Wisniewski to the Islanders blue line. Along with them the Islanders have top Prospects Calvin De Haan and Travis Hamonic coming to camp looking for spots on this years roster.

Coming off what Gervais described as his best summer work out in the last five years, he will have to face a tougher competition at this years training camp. "I think it's a great thing," Gervais said about the new additions on defense. "It's the NHL, you expect all the best players to be here and we have a lot of depth on D right now." As fore mention that depth includes a lot of talent including top prospects Calvin De Haan and Travis Hamonic. However the adding competition is something that Bruno is looking forward to. "Oh big time, Oh ya." Gervais responded when asked if he was looking forward to the competition. " I feel like I'm twenty again. I came here ready and it's going to be fun."

Over the off-season Gervais worked heavily on his explosion and his ability to jump in the play, as well Gervais worked on improving his nutrition. "I did a big 180 in Nutrition," Gervais said. "My girlfriend is studying nutrition, which started last year. So she kind of gave me a little wake

up call about a lot of things. so i changed a lot. I dropped about eight or nine pounds and I feel alot lighter [and better]"

But the biggest key to whether Gervais starts with the Islanders is whether or not he can play at a consistent level. "Consistency would be a good thing," Gervais reiterated to me. "I know I can do it." Whether Bruno is consistent or not this training camp he has a tough road ahead of him to make the squad. While like by many fans for being one of the nicest guys on the team, many doubt he can thrive as an everyday NHL defensemen. This year Gervais has a lot to prove and we'll see if he has what it takes.

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